In-kind donation for concrete sealer to be applied at fairgrounds was accepted by the Board;

Bloemendaal named Minnesota Ag Inspector of the Year;

July 31, 2014

Murray County Board of Commissioners

By Dorothy Bloemendaal

Fulda Free Press staff writer

Murray County Board of Commissioners accepted with appreciation an in-kind donation valued at $9,956.20 for concrete sealer applied at various places around the fairgrounds. Seal Deep LLC/Water Treatment and Conditioning Systems LLC (Chan Briggs) was the donor. They have had a booth at the fair in the blue commercial building for many years.

All ballots for Primary and General elections are counted at the Murray County Govern-ment Center. A resolution was passed to allow the auditor/ treasurer to appoint election judges as needed at a salary of $12.00 per hour. The auditor/ treasurer’s office is the designated polling place for the mail ballot precincts and the unregistered voters to vote in person on both election days.

Jon Bloemendaal reported on the annual agriculture short course he attended in New Ulm. Introduction of the conference was a presentation of the history of New Ulm. One of topics discussed was the invasive species (weeds) program which has become more prevalent in his job as ag inspector. Other topics were legislation of the pollination bill regarding the decline of the bee population and habitat for them, urban gardening, and the ag inspector position in the counties. Tours were conducted to the Del Monte plant, Christiansen Farms and Shell’s Brewery.

The board questioned Bloemendaal if the farmers were sent out notices to take care of noxious weeds. He sends notices as needed and it is the township’s responsibility. Tours are made annually with the township officials for weed inspection. He also notifies MnDOT to take care of thistles and noxious weeds on the state roads.

In conclusion Bloemendaal said he was named Ag Inspector of the Year for the State of Minnesota.

Christy Riley, president of Southern Minnesota Tourism board, reported SMT has plans to market the 36 county area of southern Minnesota in northern Iowa and into South Dakota. She is applying for a new grant of $8,000 for connecting communities. SMNT receives .5 percent per capita for marketing and with new census count this is a boost for their endeavors.

Bids will be opened on August 25 at 10:15 a.m. for a new bathroom and showers at Swenson Park. Completion day of the project is one week before Memorial Day 2015.

Two changes were made to the sick leave policy and pregnancy and parenting leave. Both are effective August 1, 2014.

Jim Reinert was given permission to purchase necessary equipment for a switch for computers at a cost of $2,718.60. He also stated the President has declared Murray County a disaster area from the recent flooding. Funds are to be used for repair of public structures only.

Prahm Construction submitted the low bid for the Fenton Township culvert bridge. Final payment of $3,715.07 was approved to Traffic Marking Service, INC for striping of county roads.

Three highway department vehicles will be offered for sale at auction, a 1985 Ford F350 van, 1963 International 504 tractor and a 1974 Ford F700 truck. Three townships have culvert bridges in need of replacement. Chanarambie has signed an agreement with the county for repair. The townships are obligated for some of the expense therefore the need for an agreement with the county.

A retirement recognition was given to Dean Gertsema, technical engineer at the highway department.